BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved a proposed ordinance on first reading banning the use of polyethylene (plastic) advertisement and propaganda materials within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
The proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. prohibits the use of advertisement or propaganda materials made of polyethylene plastic materials within the jurisdiction of the city considering of its high toxicity that would significantly affect the campaign of the concerned agencies and local government for the preservation and protection of the environment.
Under the proposal, any person firm or corporation who will, transport, sell and/or may be found in possession of polyethylene plastic advertisement or propaganda materials for use or installation in the city shall be held liable and penalized for violation of the said measure.
The city environment parks management office, public order and safety division, city building and architecture office, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), all the 128 barangays in the city and other agencies which the City Mayor may designate are authorized to conduct lawful arrest upon persons, firm or corporation for violation of the pertinent provisions of the ordinance.
Yangot cited citizens are encouraged to report to concerned authorities the installed polyethylene plastic advertisement or propaganda materials for the imposition of penalties against those who isolated the pertinent sections of the local legislative measure.
According to the proponent, any person, natural or juridical, found to be violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be meted a standard fine of P5,000 and/or imprisonment of at least 30 days at the discretion of the competent courts.
The city mayor’s office, upon the recommendation of the CEPMO, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the ordinance within ten working days after the enactment of the measure.
Yangot asserted it is the duty of advertisers, public officials and those seeking election for public office to initiate, participate in integrated iconological solid waste management projects, adopt innovative processes that shall recycle and re-use materials, reduce waste and prevent pollution, and to undertake community activities, promote and propagate effective solid waste management practices.
He cited the expansive usage of plastic posters and campaign materials during election and their typical disposal creates significant litter problems in the city and sometimes clog up canals and sewerage systems that cause unexpected floods.
Among the commonly used plastics are polyethylene and PVC tarpaulin in advertisements and the production of campaign materials with minimum thickness of plastic posters made of polyethylene is used are the ones that are usually found disposed in waterways, thus, the need to impose the appropriate regulations to guarantee lesser pollutants in the city in the future.
PVC tarpaulin used as advertisement and campaign propaganda materials has thickness that ranges from 8 ounces to 12 ounces which are commonly re-sued and converted into bags and other products.
